Discussion Board

Well our latest McDougall get together in Pacifica was especially rewarding today with many forum members joining us in great conversation, wonderful food, and the social rewards of following this way of eating here. What a great group of people all working at making themselves healthier for their families, friends and mostly for themselves. I always come away from these get togethers proud to have discovered this program and the delightful people I've met along the way. I only wish we had more time as I only got to chat briefly with most everyone. Thanks to all that attended in making this day a memorable one. I'm proud to add more faces to the names I see here. I hope to connect again with all of you again.
f1jim

Hey Jim:

Thanks for this post about the delightful day many a lucky McDougaller spent at Vanilla Orchid's & her husband Sherman's beautiful seaside home! We lucky starch-based/low fat vegans shared an amazing potluck of our favorite recipes. OMG - the wonderful array of tastes and colors - the food was exceptional.

And all the discussions were lively too. It was so wonderful to meet folks that share this journey and hear their stories - learning how they came to making the decision to commence this WOE and the benefits, many unexpected, that they have reaped in doing so.

As exquisite as our setting and tasty as the food was - the most valuable thing for me was the many conversations about our permanent commitment to this program. I wish I'd been able to talk to everyone and be able to connect a real life name to our forum handles.

Sherman absolutely memorized everyone's name astoundingly!!! I sure hope I got his right - as this is probably my weakest necessary life skill ever! I think maybe I have about 10 names and faces solidly stored for next time and simply I can't wait for the next time.

Thank you to our hosts and to all the participants for a memorable and yummy day! Best to you all - Michelle

Thanks to all who came. Yes, Michelle, you did get Sherman's name right. He has many talents, including great recall for names. I think that is because he's truly interested in people and listens well. He says he counted 24 people, including the two of us, and that is a record number for a McDougall gathering at our home. I tried to count, but people kept moving.

As usual, we had an abundance great food, and wonderful conversation. I, too, wish I had more time to visit with each one of you, and I'm looking forward to the next gathering.

I invited several people who had little or no knowedge of the program, and they all said they had a great time, loved the food, and learned a lot. I strongly urge anyone thinking of hosting a McDougall gathering to take a chance and invite a few friends who are open-minded and adventurous. Don't get too caught up in worrying about what they will think. Just welcome them for good food and fellowship. You may end up saving a life. Or, maybe you'll just have a nice party.

Many of you have asked for recipes, and if you will each e-mail yours to me, I will distribute, and perhaps post them. And, maybe we'll start a potluck cookbook as was suggested in an earlier thread.

Vanilla Orchid many thanks to you and Sherman for hosting today's party, I had a wonderful time! The food was amazing and I did not walk away hungry! Your chocolate cake was so good, yes, recipe please. A recipe book is a great idea.

It was fun to try mango and jicama today, I'd never eaten either one before and I liked them both very much. Quinoamania makes awesome salads! I will definitely make both of your recipes and enjoy with my awakened taste buds.

I wish I'd been able to talk to everyone today, but I had to move on to a family party in the afternoon. I look forward to the next potluck, count me in. Maybe we can get Dr. McDougall and Mary there for the next one!

Guess I haven't been around the discussion boards long enough, but has this been a regular event or a one time only? I saw the thread on the Pacifica get together, but was not able to make it out from Oakley for the festivities.

We do get together fairly regularly and usually post a notice when it's in the works. We will continue to do that and anyone thats available is free to join us. The food is always good and the conversations are incredible. Be there next time.
f1jim

Thanks for the information Jim. I would enjoy the company of other like minded people. Need to see if I can convince my wife to come with me. A little road trip to the coast would be great. I will keep it in mind next time it comes around.

I am so glad to read that quite a few people from the boards had a chance to gather together. I am sorry that I missed this past weekend, but I was so grateful to be there a couple of weeks ago. Jim, Terri, Claire, Sherman, Tina and Lena were fun and inspirational. It was my first time socializing with McDougallers outside of the last Advanced Study Weekend. We live quite a bit farther away, so we probably won't make most of the gatherings, but hopefully, we can fit in one here or there.

Thanks for all the support and friendship!

We get together whenever the spirit moves us. It's very informal. Usually someone sends out an e-mail suggesting a gathering, and a few of us check calendars, pick a date and a place, and then post it on the board.

If you can't make it to Pacifica, have one near you. We're willing to travel for food. If you don't have a big house, have a picnic in a park. It's all about the company and the food. And sometimes other activities.

We're very flexible. If you cannot make it to our gatherings but will be traveling to the are, let us know. We eat every day. We can often get a few friends together to meet you. That's how we met LoriLynn and her wonderful husband and absolutely delightful little girls.

Many thanks to Vanilla Orchid and Sherman for organizing and hosting a wonderful potluck. My husband and I enjoyed meeting everyone and getting ideas and recipes to keep us going. With Vanilla Orchids encouragement we are looking into a summer picnic potluck maybe in Golden Gate Park. I want to remind everyone about the Bekeley Vegan Earth Day on Sunday check their website for details. Dr. McDougall and Dr. Klaper are listed as speakers. We are going, hope to see you there.

My husband and I had a wonderful brunch at Claire and Sherman's house on Sunday and we want to thank them for hosting this wonderful event. I only wish I had connected names with discussion board names! We had wonderful conversations, tasted delicious food, and came home with great memories and a lot of recipes!
If you are anywhere in Northern California, try not to miss the next get together because this is a great group of people who know how to throw a party!

Ha! Our parties practically throw themselves. Our guests bring most of the food. All we have to do is issue the invite. I'm looking forward to the the summer picnic in GG Park!

We also travel. Post an invite and we'll bring the party to you. No need to convince your wife to do anything!

Haha...how very true, huh?

Madison I enjoyed talking to you and your husband on Sunday. Let me know when the picnic will be, I'd like to go. I'm disappointed that I can't be in Berkeley this Sunday for Earth Day! That sounds like fun too.